Forum Activity for @gale-a-barr

I love my chromatic dulcimers and tend to play them the most out of my collection but I still like my diatonics. I see the chromatic as an evolution of the dulcimer. Just as other instruments have evolved and developed sub-types, so have the dulcimers as I see it. How many types of guitars are out there - do folks question those different types? I am not sure that is an equivalent comparison but maybe close. If you like traditional diatonic, great, play those and have fun. I don't see those going away as they are wonderful, but I hope folks will be open to others playing different types of mountain dulcimers. My newest MD is a chromatic Dulcivox from Folkcraft. It has a nice sound, lots of volume and resonance, and is a lot of fun to play. 

Different strokes for different folks....

Bing Futch has a great book on Chromatic Dulcimer. Be aware he does include a lot of music theory information and counts frets chromatically versus referring to the diatonic numbering. Erin Mae has a lot of good chromatic references and usually provides sheet music with diatonic fret numbering as well as chromatic fret numbering in chromatic workshops

. Sam Edelston does this also - thanks, Sam! 

Method for Chromatic Mountain Dulcimer (Book by Bing Futch) – Folkcraft Instruments

Private Music Teacher | Erin Mae Music

Regarding getting a chromatic dulcimer, what Sam said. You will not regret getting a chromatic in my humble opinion. When I purchased my chromatics, they were labeled as dulcimers and I consider them that. Chromatic seems to be generally recognized as a modern version of the dulcimer - i.e. A History of the Mountain Dulcimer (bearmeadow.com) . 

LOL to "Bag of Kazoos" band! 

I guess I will add to my list (forgot about these the first time) - 

• Fender guitar - my first stringed instrument
• Gretsch 5 string banjo
• Several pennywhistles in D
• Native American Flute in B minor - High Spirits
• Old band instruments - flute, oboe. cornet
• Gretsch sunburst mandolin (my husband is playing this)

I have 5 mountain dulcimers but always looking at new ones : 

• McCafferty chromatic - walnut/redwood top
• McSpadden diatonic - cherry/redwood top
• Folkroots - diatonic strung as a baritone
• Clemmer Ban-Jammer - walnut, chromatic
• Folkcraft - diatonic, all walnut

Also:

• 5 ukuleles of various types - banjo hybrid, ebony tenor, Fluke, etc.
• Bowed psaltery - Pete Braden 1997
• Ugears hurdy-gurdey
• Rick Thum 17/17 chromatic hammered dulcimer -  gently used - Adirondack spruce/ walnut/ hard rock maple - newest addition to the music room 

I have been working on Wendy Songe's version of "King of the Fairies". Fun tune! Also, I recently purchased the sheet music of "John Barleycorn" as performed by Steve Winwood of Traffic and working out chords, etc on my chromatic dulcimer. 

Jan,

   Someday I would like to learn how to write out a score on Tabledit also. Good luck and looking forward to hear about your progress!    

That use of a striker is fun and intriguing. I will try this but anyone seen any videos of mountain dulcimer instructors using this technique? 

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Enjoying the responses and photos for this question. My new "favorite" that I likely would grab in the zombie apocalypse would be the chromatic McCafferty that I received this summer. Terry kindly customized the inlay pattern on the fretboard, which I LOVE and it has that loud, nice tone that Dusty described below. But I like my all-walnut Folkcraft for it's warm, full tone and I like my cherry/redwood McSpadden for it's happy sound, etc., so it would be a hard choice. 

@D-Chitwood , sure would like to hear a sound file from your new Bella dulcimer....

Hi Don -

   I purchased mine at the Evart, MI Funfest this summer and I think it was about $180.  I am not seeing the stand on the Gary's website yet-  https://www.prussiavalley.com/ but I am sure you could give Gary a call to discuss. It can be folded up nicely for transport. Let me know if you want some photos.

I have one of Gary Sager's dulcimer stands. Beautiful oak and has multiple adjustments available to customize to your needs. 

Hi all -   Was browsing Goodwill auctions and saw this beauty listed on the Goodwill auction site. I shouldn't be looking as just received my McCafferty but it's fun to look. Label says built in 1973. Maybe someone else on this site is looking for one? Admin, please move this listing to the For Sale area if you deem appropriate. 

Capritaurus Dulcimer

Yes, Neal has a good version of this in his "Hits of the Beatles" book - I really like it. Some of the tunes are tabbed for the more advanced player. 

https://www.elderly.com/hits-of-the-beatles-dulcimer-solo.htm

Hi all -

  Sorry for the delay in responding - work and fragile health of my father has been requiring my attention. Thanks again for all of the suggestions. I am going to the different options as time and budget allows. 

Hi all -

   I am looking for some advice on any moderately-priced external pickups that work well with a mountain dulcimer and would work with the cute Kala amp I bought for my tenor uke this past summer. See attached for photo of amp and cord.  My DH gave me a gift certificate to Elderly Instruments and looking to use that if possible.  I don't have a lot of knowledge of "electrified" dulcimers but trying to learn from this site and others. Thanks in advance for any advice!

 Amp.jpg - 200KB

My dream dulcimer at this point ... a large body , shorter scale VSL (25"), with false bottom - want the volume!  Built in pickup and chromatic setup. Wood, I am flexible but ebony fretboard would be nice.  Played a McCafferty dulcimer at Evart with a lot of these features - nice but open to suggestions....

Hi -

  Just looking for some reviews, thoughts, etc of the Gold Tone Dulciborn. I heard a women at the Evart Funfest last year play one and thought it was pretty neat. She did say she purchased it used and had to have some adjustments done due to some warping of the fretboard( I believe). Volume was impressive. Any Dulciborn owners out there that could share their experience with this instrument? Thanks!

Gold Tone Dulciborn

Hi all -

  Thank you all for your thoughts on this. I spoke with Richard (I think that was his name) at Folkcraft a couple of weeks ago about setting one of their make-your-own dulcimer kits as a baritone. His only suggestion was to perhaps order a longer fretboard and seemed to think that setting up as a baritone would be fine. The kits come standard with the 27". I did not ask about setting up as a bass at that time. I could call them back and see what they say about changing a shop-made dulcimer.

Hi - I posted this also on the Everything Dulcimer forum....
  I just purchased a Folkroots/Folkcraft Model: D550s-520, Dated: 2-10-2004, from a member of Everything Dulcimer. I have ordered some appropriate strings to put on this instrument to enable me to play it as a baritone. This dulcimer has a deeper (3") body and has a nice throaty sound. Would it harm the instrument in anyway if I put larger gauge strings (.022, .022, .036 and .052.) on this instrument to try playing as a bass also? The owners of the music store I spoke with asked this question and I do not know the answer. Is the structure of a purpose-made bass dulcimer more reinforced than a standard mountain dulcimer? The string notchs in the nut and bridge might have to be altered?

Thanks Robert and Ken - I am checking out my options now to see if I should make or buy one!

That is beautiful! Where is the best place to purchase one? Not sure if I have time to make one.

Thought I would share this curious setup from the goodwill website. Anyone seen something like this before?

Dulcimer with playing table

Thanks, everyone! We will have to get capo for the ukes and give thata try....

Hi -

My hubby is the proud newowner of not just one ukulele, but 2 ( a little Diamondheadsoprano and tenor Fluke) and I as a beginner/intermediate player of a dulcimer would like to play together. The ukes are commonly tuned to the key of G. We have been experimenting a bit but should I retune to CGC to make it easier to accompany him or capo to G while in DAD tuning? I am open to any suggestions to make it easier to do.... ...thanks!

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Tim and Ken,

Those are great suggestions! I have found the SMN for these and can't wait to try them. I have been listening to some Youtube verions also of all of the suggestions. I am sure others reading this thread appreciate these ideas for haunting tunes too.

Ken, I have played a few tune in Aeolian mode after reading Strumlia's blog about it and really like it. That would be perfect for these types of tunes.

Thanks John! I will try to get a copy of that!

That one sounds like fun, Shawn. I will give that a try.

I found this old thread as it is now October and Halloween is approaching.Anyone have some additional tabs, links, or ideasof spooky songs to play on the dulcimer? I can pick some of the easier, contemporary ones that come to mind - "Addams Family" that are just for but I am sure others out there can think of others? Tubular Bellsused in the Exorcistwould be interesting....